Verdasco Ready for Nadal Challenge

Sometimes all it takes is a win to change the tenor of a rivalry, or at least that was the case for Fernando Verdasco against Rafael Nadal.
Friends for about 17 years, Nadal was the phenomenon in Spain, and Verdasco was the older and very talented player.
But as professionals, Nadal won the first 13 meetings, although Verdasco would play him close, like his 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 loss in Cincinnati in 2011, or his 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 loss in the semifinals of the 2009 Australian Open.
Verdasco picked up his first win over Nadal in the Round of 16 at Madrid in 2012. Since then, Verdasco has a 3-1 advantage over Nadal, including the shocking 7-6(5), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 comeback victory in the first round of the Australian Open in January.
“I was so close, but I never won,” Verdasco said after advancing to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open when Martin Klizan had to retire with an ankle injury. “Maybe winning that match in Madrid gave me belief I can win, not just come close to winning. At the end, that’s the difference between winning and losing. You have to trust you can win.
“I have more confidence in my game, believe more in myself. I did it before and I can do it again.”
Verdasco will get that chance again on Tuesday when he and Nadal resume their rivalry. Nadal reached the third round after beating Gilles Muller 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 on Sunday night.
With their history, Verdasco knows it will be a draining match, both physically and mentally.
“He always pushes you to the limit and you have to be ready for that,” Verdasco said. “You have to be so focused every point because he’s so focused every point. That level of focus and physical instability for five hours is a long time. Of course it takes a lot of energy and leaves your body low on energy and everything. It’s not just physical, but emotional.”
For Nadal, he knows he will have his hands full against Verdasco and will be prepared for a tough match.
“He’s a great player with an amazing potential,” Nadal said. “We know each other very well, and I know the way to have success against him is to play very well. That’s what I’m going to try.”
Verdasco’s victory over Nadal in Australia took a toll. Unable to maintain the same level, Verdasco lost to Dudi Sela in the next round.
After Australia, Verdasco had issues with a bulging disc and inflammation in his neck, forcing him to pull out of Buenos Aires and Rio.
So far, Verdasco said he’s been feeling good and hasn’t had problems with his neck.
In addition to having a rivalry with Nadal, he’s also developing a partnership. Verdasco and Nadal started playing doubles together in Toronto last year. Nadal and Verdasco want to play together for the Olympics this summer.
On Saturday, Nadal and Verdasco played a thrilling first-round match against Bob and Mike Bryan before falling 3-6, 7-5, [10-8]. Ironically, Nadal and Verdasco lost to the Bryans in Toronto as well, by an identical 10-8 score in the super tiebreaker.

Source: BNP Paribas Open